Category: 3TILLW

Welcome to my weekly newsletter, where I share three things I learned last week. 

Every week, I consume various media, including articles, books, podcasts, YouTube videos, online courses, and more, to stay informed and continuously improve my knowledge and skills. 

I share my learning journey's most exciting and insightful takeaways in this newsletter. Please feel free to forward this along to friends.

“Writing requires the compression of an idea. When done poorly, compression removes insights. When done well, compression keeps the insights and removes the rest. Compression requires both thinking and understanding, which is one reason writing is so important.”

1. The Value of Writing in the Age of AI

The Article I read: Why Write?

Main Takeaways

The importance of writing goes beyond simply sharing ideas with others. Writing is a process that helps you understand and clarify your own thoughts and knowledge.

Through writing, you can discover what you know, what you don’t know, and how to think about a particular topic. It requires the compression of ideas, which is a valuable skill for problem-solving and critical thinking.

Great writing is about understanding the reader’s perspective and positioning your ideas in a way that resonates with them. This requires deep fluency in a topic, which can only be achieved through writing and thinking about it.

While tools like AI-generated writing may be convenient, they cannot replace the value of learning to think and write deeply.

In a world where clear thinking is becoming increasingly valuable, outsourcing our thinking to AI may actually put us at a disadvantage. So, don’t shy away from writing – it’s a powerful tool for self-discovery, problem-solving, and communication.

“The difference between skimming and reading with all our intelligence is the difference between fully activated reading brains and their short-circuited, screen-dulled versions.” ~ Maryanne Wolf

2. Deep reading is crucial for developing critical thinking, empathy, and understanding complex issues in today’s digital age.

The article I read: “Success in Circuit Lies”: How Do We Cultivate Deep Reading Processes in a Digital Age?

Main Takeaways

The digital age has truly transformed the way we read and absorb information. While technology has opened up new avenues for learning, it’s essential to remember the incredible power of deep reading and the unique impact it has on our minds and hearts.

In this fast-paced, screen-driven world, we often find ourselves skimming through content, missing the chance to truly connect with it.

But deep reading is so much more than just words on a page – it’s an opportunity to delve into the heart of a story, to question its truth, and to expand our understanding of the world around us.

Deep reading helps us develop vital skills like critical thinking, empathy, and knowledge integration, which are essential for a well-rounded life. It allows us to make connections, draw analogies, and truly understand the ideas presented to us.

In a world where misinformation is rampant, these skills are more important than ever to ensure we can navigate the digital landscape safely and responsibly.

Let’s celebrate the magic of books, and use them to explore the vast universe of knowledge, ideas, and perspectives.

By nurturing deep reading in the digital age, we’ll not only empower ourselves but also create a brighter, more empathetic, and intellectually enriched future for generations to come.

“Learning often involves going back and forth between these two different neural modes – focus mode and diffuse mode.” ~ Barbara Oakley

3. Expertise comes from consistent and intentional practice

The YouTube video I watched: The Science of Learning: How to Turn Information into Intelligence

Main Takeaways

Embarking on the journey of learning something new is nothing short of an exhilarating adventure for your brain. As you absorb and process fresh information, your mind becomes a dazzling light show of activity. And when you come across challenges or frustration, don’t worry – that’s when the magic really happens!

Picture this: you’re struggling with a concept, but after taking a break, everything suddenly clicks into place. What’s the secret? Your incredible brain has been working behind the scenes, crafting new ways to tackle the problem. This is your mind’s superpower in action.

You may have heard the saying, “practice makes perfect,” but let’s be honest – perfection is overrated. Instead, practice is the key to unlocking expertise. As you dedicate time and effort to practicing, your brain begins to memorize patterns, making once-difficult tasks feel effortless. So, whether you’re aiming to become a math whiz or a virtuoso musician, one ingredient is essential: practice.

But wait! Practicing the right way is crucial. Experiment with different problem-solving techniques until you discover what works best for you. This will help you forge valuable chunks of information or methods that you can rely on when facing new challenges.

And what about those moments when you feel completely stuck? Resist the temptation to peek at the answer! It may seem counterintuitive, but grappling with a tough problem without taking shortcuts is like a workout for your brain. You’re developing invaluable skills that will propel you through future challenges.

So, go ahead – ignite your brain by learning new things, embracing obstacles, and practicing with intention. As you do, you’ll strengthen your abilities and increase your chances of success in all aspects of life. Remember, your brain is an awe-inspiring powerhouse just waiting to be unleashed!

Thank you for joining me on this weekly learning journey. I hope you found the three things I shared insightful and valuable. Remember, continuous learning is essential for personal and professional growth, and I’m honored to be a part of your learning process.

I wish you a great week filled with new opportunities, growth, and joy. And if you received this newsletter forwarded by a friend, subscribe to get your own copy every week. Just click the link below and enter your email address, and you’ll be all set.

Subscribe here: https://www.nathanonn.com/newsletter/

Thank you for being so supportive, and I’ll see you next week with more exciting insights to share!

Best regards,

~ Nathan

Welcome to my weekly newsletter, where I share three things I learned last week. 

Every week, I consume various media, including articles, books, podcasts, YouTube videos, online courses, and more, to stay informed and continuously improve my knowledge and skills. 

I share my learning journey's most exciting and insightful takeaways in this newsletter. Please feel free to forward this along to friends.

“Many people fall into the illusion that whatever they’re creating is for everybody, and as a result, their work suffers.” ~ Seth Godin

1. Being Meaningful Specifics

The YouTube Video I Watched: # How To GET STARTED, GET UNSTUCK & SHARE Your Best Work | Rich Roll Podcast

It’s important to focus on the things that matter in our life and make them the best. To do this, we must say ‘no’ to many attractive things that don’t push us forward, like trying to argue with anonymous trolls just so we can feel the “winning.”

Don’t listen to what people say about you because it won’t help you improve. It’s also not a good idea to make something for everyone, as it won’t have much impact.

Instead, focus on creating something for a specific group of people. In other words, being meaningful specifics. And if they don’t like it – don’t worry, you can always try again. If you try hard enough, you’ll get a lucky break eventually.

“People who are willing to do the hard work are the ones who are toiling with no obvious applause, who are doing something that doesn’t make the crowd happy in the short run, who are confronting things that feel risky because they understand that over time they’re not risky. They’re actually generous and useful.” ~ Seth Godin

2. The Difference Between Hard Work and Long Work

The YouTube Video I watched: The Tim Ferriss Show – Seth Godin on How to Say No, Market Like a Professional, and Win at Life

Main Takeaways

Hard work requires emotional labor, risk, and generosity, while long work involves putting in extra hours for a task.

Real-life examples of choosing hard work over long work can be seen in the STEM field. Instead of churning out papers and long hours of research, engineers often think of ways to make their work more efficient and develop innovative solutions that solve their problems quicker.

As another example, entrepreneurs often choose hard work over long work by taking risks that may not pay off, but in the end, those risks often lead to growth and success in the venture they are pursuing.

To make the decision to do hard work, it is necessary to understand what is not worth pursuing and then focus on what is worth pursuing.

It is also essential to have an attitude of gratitude and willingness to serve and give of one’s time and resources. This can result in more meaningful work and more fruitful results than simply putting in extra hours without any thought or plan.

Hard work pays off in the long run and can bring shifts in those who engage with it.

Public education was built to train kids to sit still long enough to work in a factory. But instead of teaching kids how to solve interesting problems and how to lead, we’re teaching them how to do well on the test.

3. The education system should encourage students to work on their problem-solving and creativity

The YouTube Video I watched: Seth Godin – Education Reform

Main Takeaways

Schools are still operating very similarly to how they did 100 years ago, yet the world has changed drastically in that time. We need to adjust how schools are run so that students are better equipped for the challenges of tomorrow.

This means shifting away from outdated methods of measuring and memorization and instead focusing on fostering problem-solving skills and creativity. Technologies such as smartphones, the internet, and chatGPT have enabled anyone to access knowledge from anywhere in the world, but that’s only the first step. Colleges and universities must also reevaluate the role and cost of their education to ensure that it prepares students to think critically and solve problems in an ever-evolving world.

We must also create an environment that encourages risk-taking and experimentation. Making mistakes is an integral part of growth, and we should empower students to take chances and develop solutions, not just memorize facts. By teaching problem-solving and creativity, we can equip students with the skills they need to navigate their future.

Thank you for joining me on this weekly learning journey. I hope you found the three things I shared insightful and valuable. Remember, continuous learning is essential for personal and professional growth, and I’m honored to be a part of your learning process.

I wish you a great week filled with new opportunities, growth, and joy.

And if you received this newsletter forwarded by a friend, subscribe to get your own copy every week. Just click the link below and enter your email address, and you’ll be all set.

Subscribe here: https://www.nathanonn.com/newsletter/

Thank you for being so supportive, and I’ll see you next week with more exciting insights to share!

Best regards,

~ Nathan

Welcome to my weekly newsletter, where I share three things I learned last week. 

Every week, I consume various media, including articles, books, podcasts, YouTube videos, online courses, and more, to stay informed and continuously improve my knowledge and skills. 

I share my learning journey's most exciting and insightful takeaways in this newsletter. Please feel free to forward this along to friends.

“There’s nothing magical or mystical about writing, but it involves more than placing an existing document on an unreliable photocopier and pressing the Print button” ~ Ted Chiang

1. How AI is Changing Writing

The article I read: ChatGPT Is a Blurry JPEG of the Web

Key Takeaways:

Writing is a complex process that involves more than just pressing a print button. It consists in needing help to express original thoughts and ideas. AI-generated content is a superficial resemblance to human writing and cannot discover original ideas.

Using chatGPT to generate web content presents its own set of issues, as it can result in the repackaging of existing information. ChatGPT is a large-language model that can interpolate and paraphrase material from the web, but its accuracy decreases with larger numbers.

AI-generated content is a form of lossy compression, as it retains much of the information on the web in a more compressed format. Ultimately, AI is changing how we write, and we must decide how it should be used.

“If your work is not better than AI, then be worried.” ~ Reuben Ch’ng

2. AI is Not a Replacement for Marketers

The article I read: Will ChatGPT Replace Marketers?

Key Takeaways:

AI tools can free marketers from mundane tasks and help them focus on creating strategies and building relationships with customers.

However, AI cannot replace marketers because it cannot replicate human empathy and emotional intelligence.

AI’s usefulness lies in its capacity to analyze large data sets, but it needs to improve when it comes to the creative and emotional aspects of marketing. Therefore, AI can never replace marketers.

“Better is better than louder.” ~ Seth Godin

3. The Power of Passion and Sharing in Marketing

The article I read: Promo creep

Key Takeaways

As the years have passed, the amount of promotion has increased exponentially, yet it still needs to impact the success of various products and services.

In the search for success, is it louder that wins or something better? Why do some creations captivate the world while others don’t? What could be the key to success?

The answer lies in not focusing on promotion but creating something people genuinely want to share with others.

Thank you for joining me on this weekly learning journey. I hope you found the three things I shared insightful and valuable. Remember, continuous learning is essential for personal and professional growth, and I’m honored to be a part of your learning process.

I wish you a great week filled with new opportunities, growth, and joy.

And if you received this newsletter forwarded by a friend, subscribe to get your own copy every week. Just click the link below and enter your email address, and you’ll be all set.

Subscribe here: https://www.nathanonn.com/newsletter/

Thank you for being so supportive, and I’ll see you next week with more exciting insights to share!

Best regards,

~ Nathan